Let’s Give Them Stuffed Things to Talk About

Sure, it’s being said that Selena Gomez has had her fill of Justin Bieber considering the recent breakup of this young Hollywood couple, but that’s deinitely not the case when it comes to me and food. This might sound silly, but if food was a person, I know that we’d be a match made in heaven!

And with Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s guaranteed that the holiday favorites and all the fixings such as turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, will be at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

But believe me, the consumption of all this hearty cuisine may come as a shock to your body, so to prepare for the feast(s) ahead, this week, I decided it would be the perfect time to stuff myself silly with foods that are, well, stuffy in a good way. Let’s see … crab stuffed mahi mahi, bacon-wrapped shrimp and scallops, stuffed salmon — I know you’re hungry!

So, without further ado, let the eating frenzies begin as I fill up on the best “stuffed” dishes at the following Ono, You Know establishments. Who knows? One of these dishes may just be Selena’s or the Biebs’ perfect cure for a broken heart.

Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab

Celebrity chef Sam Choy reigns as the king of local favorites, and here at Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab diners are presented with a royal spread, to say the least. But let’s not get stuffy here, unless it’s Pan Roasted Salmon that we’re talking about.

Priced at $16.95, this lunch-only entree capitalizes on great taste, as the roasted salmon features a panko garlic crust exterior stuffed with a blend of crab meat, spinach, mayo and seasonings. The meat is melt-in-your-mouth tender served with a shiitake mushroom cream sauce and then topped with a sweet teriyaki drizzle.

“The shiitake mushroom cream sauce is our signature sauce that Sam is famous for,” says general manager Jeffrey Gaspar. “This specific dish has been on our menu for about two years and our customers seem to really enjoy it.”

Pan Roasted Salmon is filling on its own, but it’s also paired with a mound of white rice with furikake and a vegetable medley to complete the meal.

Atlantis Seafood & Steak

For all things surf and turf, Atlantis Seafood & Steak is the perfect place to be. The restaurant has made home in what was once the former Waikiki No. 3 Theater, and is renowned for its delicacies of flavorful and juicy steaks, live crab and fresh island-caught fish. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., kamaaina and visitors alike frequent this famed eatery on a regular basis and enjoy an all-around fantastic dining experience whether they choose to dine outdoors on the lanai or indoors under a ship’s majestic frame.

According to restaurant manager Yolanda Millare, Atlantis’ Deep-Fried Ocean Wrap ($12.95) is a best-selling appetizer, that lures you in with its exquisite presentation and equally remarkable taste. Here you’ll find jumbo scallops and shrimp wrapped in bacon and deep-fried golden brown beautifully accented by mango salsa.

“This dish is so popular, and it’s garnished with veggies and served with sweet aioli, wasabi aioli and adorned with mandarin orange,” Millare adds.

Although this starter is divine, be sure to save room for an onolicious entree and glass of wine. Kamaaina also can smile a bit brighter, as you’ll receive a special discount with an ID.

Ocean House

Situated beachfront in Outrigger Reef Hotel, Ocean House welcomes you home and treats you to a world-class dining experience. According to general manager David Nagaishi, guests from across the globe come for a taste of premier island fare, while also soaking in the immaculate oceanfront views as they dine on the shores of Waikiki.

Stuff yourself with Ocean House classics such as prime rib, fresh island fish and more. However, one dish in particular to take note of is Crab Stuffed Mahi Mahi ($33.50), which presents diners with twin filets of fresh island mahi mahi stuffed with blue crab stuffing, and then steamed to perfection and topped with the restaurant’s homemade bearnaise sauce accompanied by steamed asparagus.

“This is our most popular fish dish,” Nagaishi explains. “The mahi is very tender and the stuffing doesn’t overpower the fish. In fact, it complements it very well.

“We also have a new executive chef, Aurelio Garcia, who came on board about a week ago, so we’re really excited about that.”

The next time you want to feel at home in the islands, fill up on Ocean House’s fabulous cuisine.